Wacker Neuson has been using the battery since 2014 and it now works with eleven different products. Since 2021, the battery has also been deployed in BOMAG’s electrically powered rammers.
Battery One is a lithium-ion battery for lightweight compacting equipment. There are three types: 500w/h, 1000w/h and 1400w/h. The lightest 500w/h battery is used on a backpack with an internal vibrator system for concrete.
To ensure instant recognisability among customers and users, these interoperable batteries and chargers are all marked with the Battery One branding. Wacker Neuson’s interoperable products are already identified with the branding, and BOMAG, Mikasa, Swepac and Enarco will also soon be adding the Battery One logo to their compatible batteries.
Wacker Neuson says that battery-powered construction equipment is becoming an increasingly attractive option for construction companies, especially with investments in a battery and charger now being compatible with a growing range of equipment from different vendors.
The Munich-based equipment group manufacturer says that future-fit battery technology is a key driver for the development and incentivisation of sustainable products that will resonate strongly with customers. Building on recent positive experiences with Battery One, Wacker Neuson adds that it intends to collaborate with the above-mentioned manufacturers to establish an open standard for construction equipment batteries.
To discuss the possibility of a battery standard, the vendors will engage in negotiations to establish the exact nature and implementation timeline for the concept while respecting antitrust requirements in particular. Wacker Neuson says this collaboration is inspired by the idea that customers would benefit from cost savings when they invest in battery-powered products, creating strong momentum for the wider uptake of zero emission equipment on construction sites.
It adds that such an establishment of such a standard would also simplify construction site workflows and logistics by eliminating the need to manage different battery and charging systems. The aim is to make the battery system available to further manufacturers in the construction sector.
“The availability of a multi-vendor interchangeable battery for construction equipment is key to the growing adoption of electromobility on building sites,” says Stefan Pfetsch, managing director of Wacker Neuson Produktion. “Compatibility provides huge benefits for the customers. We see demand for battery-operated equipment growing all the time. With Battery One, we make it easier for customers to go electric – in particular to switch from products that were previously powered by conventional drive technologies.”
BOMAG president Ralf Junker adds that Battery One’s compatibility across different brands and products will further increase the penetration of electric equipment and the sustainability of battery lifecycle management on construction sites. “Together with our customers, we are helping to make construction sites around the world more environmentally friendly,” says Junker.
Hironari Kyoya, president of Mikasa Sangyo, adds: “A powerful and interchangeable battery solves a number of challenges on the building site, such as the need to extend battery runtimes, accelerate charging times and lower equipment and infrastructure costs. All of this adds up to greater convenience for our customers.”
